Thursday, September 22, 2016

Ernie Calverley

Career
East at Pawtucket, RI (High School)
1943-44 University of Rhode Island (College)
1944-45 University of Rhode Island (College)
1945-46 University of Rhode Island (College)
1946-47 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1950-51 Bryant College - Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1957-58 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1958-59 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1959-60 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1960-61 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1961-62 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1962-63 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1963-64 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1964-65 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1965-66 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1966-67 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach
1967-68 University of Rhode Island (College) - Head coach

Ernie was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps, but a heart murmur kept him from induction. In 1946, Calverley delivered one of the most memorable shots in NIT history when he connected on a 62-foot shot at the buzzer to send his Rhode Island team to overtime against Bowling Green. He went on to play three seasons for the BAA's Providence Steamrollers. In August of 1949, Calverley signed with the Boston Celtics. When the Providence franchise was suspended following the 1948-49 season, seven of the players were awarded to the nearby Celtics. He was released by the Celtics two weeks prior to the opening of the 49-50 season, and signed with the Baltimore Bullets. However, the day before the Bullet's opener, he decided to quit the sport and return home to become a high school coach. He went on to coach at Bryant, and then lead the URI squad for 11 seasons, eventually becoming the AD there.
In 2003, Calverley underwent surgery to receive a pacemaker. However, he got an infection and later died.